Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Stainless 17-4PH

Compare Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Stainless 17-4PH strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

Change either side

Mechanical
Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser	Open in LessCAD	Open in LessCAD
Yield strength	195MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset	1,275MPasourcetypical, transverse, sheet/strip
Ultimate tensile strength	230MPasourcetypical	1,379MPasourcetypical, transverse, sheet/strip
Elongation at break	12%sourcetypical	9%sourcetypical, transverse, in 2 in. (50.8 mm)
Young's modulus (stiffness)	70GPasourcetypical	197GPasourceH 900
Density	2,685kg/m³sourcenominal	7,800kg/m³sourceH 900
Strength to weight	72.6kN·m/kg	163kN·m/kg2.25x higher
Stiffness to weight	26.1MN·m/kg3% higher	25.3MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)	0.272sourceH 900 (column)
Shear modulus	26.3GPa	77.4GPa2.94x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	68.6GPa	144GPa
Speed of sound	5,106m/s	5,026m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	138W/m·Ksourcebase material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typical	17.9W/m·Ksourceat 149 °C (300 °F), H 900
Thermal expansion	23.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	10.8µm/m·Ksourcemean, 21–93 °C (70–200 °F), H 900
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	119µm growth	54µm growth2.2x less
Specific heat	963J/kg·Ksourceat 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38	460J/kg·Ksourcemean, 0–100 °C, H 900
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	53.4mm²/s10.7x faster	4.99mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	10,822W/m39% more resistant	7,809W/m
Melting point	605–650°Csourcemelting range	not sourced
Max service temperature	not sourced	316°Csourcestrength-retention limit (not oxidation)
Values for	5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat)	Cleveland-Cliffs 17-4 PH, Condition H 900, sheet/strip, transverse (Product Data Bulletin, May 2021)

Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.

Questions

Is Aluminum 5052-H32 stronger than Stainless 17-4PH?

Stainless 17-4PH is stronger: its yield strength is 1,275 MPa against 195 MPa for Aluminum 5052-H32 (6.54x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Stainless 17-4PH?

Aluminum 5052-H32 is lighter: 2,685 kg/m³ against 7,800 kg/m³ for Stainless 17-4PH.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Stainless 17-4PH?

Stainless 17-4PH is stiffer: Young's modulus 197 GPa against 70 GPa for Aluminum 5052-H32, so the same part in Stainless 17-4PH deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Stainless 17-4PH?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 5052-H32 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong panel or plate; Stainless 17-4PH is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam.

Part that must be	Aluminum 5052-H32	Stainless 17-4PH
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	3% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.73x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2.06x heavier
Strong rod or tie	2.25x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	20% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	lighter	14% heavier

For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).

Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Stainless 17-4PH?

Aluminum 5052-H32 conducts heat better: 138 W/m·K against 17.9 W/m·K for Stainless 17-4PH.

Which expands less with temperature?

Stainless 17-4PH expands less: 10.8 µm/m·K against 23.8 µm/m·K for Aluminum 5052-H32.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density